Earl Morris

Earl “Wayne” Morris, 84, of Sikeston, died May 21, 2016, in Branson, Mo. He was born May 25, 1931, in Sikeston, to the late Oscar Morris and Victoria Casteel Morris (Porter). He was a 1949 graduate of Caruthersville High School and graduated in 1954 from Southeast Missouri State University with a BS in Business Administration, accounting major. He was employed as an information systems analyst, senior staff, for Bendix Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., retiring in 1984. He moved to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1987, where he was active in the Roswell Symphony Orchestra Guild and Roswell Community Little Theatre. He returned to Sikeston in 2014.

He was first married to Barbara Brown in the year 1956, and she preceded him in death in 1980. He later married Leona Rowell in 1983, and she also preceded him in death in 2001.

Survivors include: his special friend, Peggy Grimes of Sikeston; one brother and sister-in-law, David and Patty Porter of Ellisville, Mo., and their children, Jennifer Porter, Ashley and Brian Hobbs and daughter Sophie, and Scott Porter; two cousins and their spouses, Mary Lee and Bill Hailey of Sikeston and Barbara and Mike Bartlett of Sikeston.

In addition to his parents and spouses, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred “Midge” Morris and Claudine Deem.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. No local services are scheduled.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jun 2, 2016, at the Stanley Community Cemetery in Stanley, New Mexico.

Online condolences may be shared at: www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com.

Prior to his death, Earl established an annual scholarship fund with Caruthersville High School, known as the Redmand and Ruth Dunham Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating student of Caruthersville who will attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Memorial contributions may be sent to:

Redmand and Ruth Dunham Memorial Scholarship

SEMO Foundation, c/o Trudy Lee

One University Plaza, MS7300

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701